Shy/Biting New Rattie Girls

Question
I have had my 2 new girl rats for almost 2 weeks. They were bought from a breeder who started socializing them at 2 weeks old and they were 10 weeks old when we got them. When we picked them up, they were friendly and climbed all over us. Since we got them home, they are completely different. They are skittish, nervous, and both have bitten more than once. Admittedly, we probably pushed it too much at first as we were expecting them to be friendlier (and we followed some not so good advice from other web sites). We have been following the advice about socialization from your site since those first few days and they have definitely improved. They take treats from our hands gently instead of lunging at us. They will come out of the cage at free play time and will occasionally come up to us to sniff, though they haven't gotten closer than that and will quickly run back to the cage if we make any kind of sudden movement. I work with them every night, and as I said, we are making progress. My question is that every time I put my hand in the cage now, they will come up to me and nip at me (bite is too strong a word, it doesn't seem like they are being aggressive). But after the earlier biting that drew blood, it does make me nervous. It almost seems like they think my finger is food. But when giving treats, I announce it as such, and I also offer them other things besides treats-paper towel strips for their bed, new toys, etc. I also always wash my hands before putting them in the cage. I am not sure what else to do to make them trust me, and for me to trust them. I really want to be friends with my girls! Any suggestions? Thanks for your help!
PS I love your advice and your website!

Answer
Hi Lisa

I am really happy to hear that you have made some progress with the girls.  2 weeks is still a short time yet believe it or not. I know the breeder said she worked with the girls and all but it also depends on how much time was spent with them also.  Sometimes you have to really spend alot of time with rats in order to get them socialized and some people think just holding them and getting them used to human touch is enough, but they need more time spent with them than that. I know one girl that is a breeder. She will just allow one rat at a time to have pups so this way she can spend all the time she has with the new litter (aside from her own pet rats) She will take them all out during play time and let them roam around etc...sometimes she will name them and they will even know their names before going to a new home which can be a problem should the new owner decide they dont like the name she gave them.  These rats are ready and willing to go to anyone and she gets nothing but great feedback about her rats.  
I have always had shy rats myself, even from breeders, but next time I am ready to start a new mischief (I have all older males 2 and 3 year olds) I will adopt from her for sure!  I think I can say I have only had two rats out of the 40 some rats I have owned over the years that came to me already outgoing and friendly.  Peanut and Charlotte. Thats about it. Oh, and the babies I raised after two females came to me pregnant....I was able to get them socialized and friendly but I was keeping all of them so that doesnt really count.
Anyhow, about the nipping:  Rats have such bad vision as it is and mix that with an over zealous rat pup and she probably thinks its food. I also have adult rats that when they want me to leave them alone, they peck at my fingers and try to push my hand away.  She could either be telling you to leave her alone or it just may be a reaction and she thinks you have a snack, but once she sees its nothing, she stops short of biting down on you.
As for the noise level...I would start from now on during play time making more noise....sing to them (I make up these strange songs about ratties and love and they look at me as if I had lost every brain cell I ever had LOL!) talk more to them, move around a bit, play footsie with them, rats LOVE toes and socks with wiggling toes in them!  
I know this sounds nutty but if you sing and talk to them more they respond and wont be as afraid.  My rats know only me. Nobody else in the house handles them unless I go out of town for a few days and I usually bring two of my special needs rats. They freak even if I leave a trash bag in the room and they dont know what it is, they go flying back for the cage as if they saw  hungry snake heading their way!!  Last week, Santana freaked out when the bunny jumped around in the cage (which is up high on a cabinet) and he would not come out for two days for play time and he is the one that stays out so long and goes back on his own in his cage once he is tired, about an hour or so.
So they dont know other people and although they will sniff them and stuff they dont really want held by other people since they know only me.
It will take a bit more time but it sounds as if you have made alot of progress and it has only been 2 weeks.
Keep me posted!